Fifty shades of grey forcing Bible to take a back seat: Enterprising hotel manager replaces Gideons bible with copies of the racy novel

Fifty shades of grey forcing Bible to take a back seat: Enterprising hotel manager replaces Gideons bible with copies of the racy novel

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UPDATED:

14:54 GMT, 13 July 2012

It is the erotic thriller that has had blushing women rushing to the book store for their fix of 'mummy porn.'

With sales totting up to 1m books and ebooks per week and the author herself netting approximately 862,069 per week for the 20 million copies sold worldwide, it seems that Fifty Shades of Grey is the novel of the year.

One hotel manager certainly thinks so and he is swopping the Gideon bible, famed for being available in hotel rooms around the world, for copies of the book.

Wayne Bartholomew, Damson Dene hotel manager and star of Channel 4’s first ‘The Hotel’, is making the exchange today for the benefit of guests and in response to the online chatter from his 3,210 Facebook Fans.

'Fifty Shades of Grey is all that people are talking about at the moment, but I know that some are too shy to buy it for themselves.

I thought it would be a special treat for our guests to find it in their bedside cabinet and that includes the men too.

They are as desperate to get their hands on a copy as the women.'

Whilst we are swopping one best seller for another the similarities don’t end there. The Gideon bible is full of references to sex and violence, although it’s written using more formal language, so James’ book is easier to read.

E. L. James nets herself 862,069 per week for the novel which has gripped the nation

'We’ve decided to designate one of rooms in the hotel into the “Red Room”. Guests will have fun finding out what delights await them there' says Wayne.

The Gideon bible will still be available at the reception desk for any guests who request it.

Wayne’s bedside book substitution has the blessing of his boss, the well spoken, silk tie wearing hotelier Jonathan Denby.

The Bible Society remain adamant that the sacred book will stand the test of time, Rachel Rounds said: 'Whilst 50 Shades of Grey is in vogue this summer, we doubt that in 2000 years’ time people will still be talking about as they do about the Bible – an enduring book which has stood the test of time and is still the world's best seller.

The Bible is a great read. It contains stories which feature sex and violence, as well as comedy, tragedy, poetry, and prose. Its themes are eternal; they still speak directly into people's lives centuries after it was written.

There really is no comparison between it and this novel.'

Hotels go high-tech as Kindle replaces Bible

The new Hotel Indigo Newcastle is the world’s first hotel to replace the iconic Gideon’s Bible with Kindle e-readers pre-loaded with an electronic version of the religious text.

The popular device will be available to guests during their stay and will initially include a copy of The Bible, however guests will also be able to download their preferred religious books via the hotel’s free Wi-Fi during their stay.

The introduction is inspired by Hotel Indigo Newcastle’s location and literary history. Newcastle was formerly a publishing hotspot, and the hotel is located near the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle Upon Tyne (or the Lit & Phil as it is popularly known), the largest independent library outside London.

Adam Munday, General Manager of Hotel Indigo Newcastle said: 'Every Hotel Indigo draws inspiration from its local area to give guests an individual experience. In the 18th Century, Newcastle was one of the largest print centres in Britain and we’re in Grainger Town, close to the Lit & Phil. We wanted to reflect this literary history in a very contemporary way so are offering guests the use of cutting-edge Kindles pre-loaded with The Bible, instead of the more traditional hard copy Gideon’s Bible that they would expect to find in a hotel.'

Mike Greenup, vice president marketing Europe, IHG, said: 'Putting Kindles in guests rooms is a great way to give our guests a flavour of Hotel Indigo Newcastle’s story and location near the Literary & Philosophical society.

'No two Hotel Indigos are the same, each has its own theme which brings to life the local area. Earlier this year we opened Hotel Indigo Edinburgh in Scotland which has decor and details throughout the hotel in reference to some of the world famous festivals which take place in Edinburgh every year. We plan to open a total of 11 new Hotel Indigos in Europe in the next three to five years.'

Electrical specialist Comet has seen a dramatic increase in sales of Kindle e-readers over the past month following the recent hype around literary phenomenon Fifty Shades of Grey. The trilogy by first-time author E.L. James is thought to be responsible for a 71% increase in sales in Comet stores in the North vs. a 29% increase in the South.

Staff in Comet stores have reported that the majority of devices are being bought by women with key sales peaks taking place on 24th June (England vs. Italy Euro 2012 match) and 1st July (Euro 2012 final).

Jon Wiltshire, Head of Consumer Electronics at Comet said: 'The Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon has swept the nation causing a dramatic increase in sales of Kindle e-readers in Comet stores and online. Our staff have reported an increase in women who have bought the device with many admitting it’s so they can read the saucy trilogy.

'I’m not sure whether that means that women in the North are more adventurous or more prudish as the beauty of a Kindle is that readers can hide the fact that they’re reading the novels!

Either way we’ve seen a big jump in sales which looks set to continue as speculation around a forthcoming movie builds. Our team are on-hand for customers looking for advice on purchasing the devices and of course offer absolute discretion.'